Bubbles for Poppo is the fourth book in a series written by Annie MacDonald to help children cope with the failing health and death of a loved one.  As with the previous three books in the series, What's up with Poppo?, Poppo's Half-Birthday Wish, and Poppo's Very Best Trick, this book is beautifully illustrated and written in a way that deals with the issue of death honestly and directly but yet is comforting and hopeful. In this book, Jenny, the delightful little girl who has lost her beloved grandfather, is still emotionally processing the loss six months later.  She remembers him fondly and misses him terribly.  Jenny's parents allow her to talk about him and his death freely.  They encourage her to express her feelings openly.  Their answers to her many questions are simple but honest. These conversations provide a positive model for parents to help their own children in the grief process.  Often parents don't know what to say to their children or how to answer the questions that children naturally have about death.  This book is a good place to start that conversation.   Bubbles for Poppo also includes a generic spiritual framework for children to deal with death.  And, in addition, to including the ritual of a visit to the cemetery, Jenny creates her own rituals that help her remember her Poppo and comfort her in her loss.  Both the spiritual aspect and the rituals are important, effective methods of helping children grieve. The book ends on a positive, hopeful note as Jenny once again finds Poppo in her heart.

            Annie MacDonald has created another book that would be a valuable resource for any adult helping a child cope with death and loss.  As a professional, I would recommend it to any helping professional working with children who have suffered a loss.  As a parent, not only would I recommend it to any parent or grandparent, I would use it with my own children.

            Nicely done, Annie, once again!

                                                                        Terrie Raposo, MSW, LICSW       

                                                                        Clinical Social Worker and Psychotherapist

Poppo,s Very Best Trick is the 3^rd in a series of 4 books written by Annie MacDonald to help children deal with the death or debilitating illness of a loved adult in their lives.  The book begins with Jenny remembering her grandfather, Poppo. She remembers all the fun things they did together and all the things he taught her.   Jenny recalls a conversation she had with Poppo about life, death, and life after death. Though the word death is not used, this conversation provides a positive, loving framework for children to understand the death of a loved one. When Jenny's Poppo dies, the way her parents allow her to grieve openly and freely provides a wonderful, healing model for helping children deal with loss including a spiritual reference to heaven and a visit to Poppo's grave; an important ritual in the grieving process that is often avoided in these times. The book ends on a positive note as Jenny understands the most valuable lesson that her Poppo taught her that those we love never really die but live on forever in our hearts.

                Once again, in this beautifully illustrated book, Annie MacDonald, through her delightful character, Jenny, takes on the challenging and often ignored task of helping children deal with the truly difficult issues of life, loss, death, and dying and accomplishes that in a way that is honest, effective, and hopeful.   I would recommend this book to both parents and professionals working with children.   And as with Annie's previous book, Poppo's Half Birthday Wish, adults may also be surprised to find their own comfort and healing in its pages!

                Beautifully done, Annie, the best book so far! I look forward to the next book.

Terry Raposo, MSW, LICSW

Clinical Social Worker and Psychotherapist

"I applaud you writing about such an important issue"...."I very much appreciate you taking the time to share this touching story with me and I wish you all the best in the new year."  - 

First Lady, Maria Shriver - Jan 2007

In Poppo's Half Birthday Wish, Annie MacDonald takes on a most difficult issue - how to help children deal with the death or debilitating illness of a loved adult in their lives.  In this beautifully illustrated book, a delightful little girl named Jenny plans a "half birthday" celebration for her beloved grandfather who is seriously ill.  As Jenny recalls the many fond memories she has of her grandfather, children will be able to recall their own precious memories of their loved one, an important part of the grieveing process.  And as Jenny discovers what Popp's real wish is, children reading the book will learn an effective way to put the death of a loved one in a perspective that's both comforting and hopeful.  The hidden gem is this book is that the adults reading it will also find it healing!

    As a professional, I would recommend this book for any parent or therapist dealing with children at any stage in the grieving process but the highest praise I can give is to say that I wish it had been available when my own boys experienced the loss of their beloved grandfather.  Beautifully done, Annie!

  Terry Raposo, MSW, LICSW 

 Clinincal Social Worker and Psychotherapist

Through this caring series of books, Annie MacDonald brings some much-needed death education to children in a sensitive and creative way.  She teaches young people some of the central lessons of loss and bereavement; including how to be present with someone who is dying, how to say good-bye, and perhaps most importantly, how to hold the relationship with the deceased inside your heart so that it can continue to be a source of deep comfort and love.     

Linda Belliveau, Beacon Hospice.

I received What's up with Poppo?, it was fantastic!! I love what you want to get across to the children. It is so important with today's challenges.  Denise George, RN The ALS Association - Michigan

I wanted to tell you how touching it was especially your note on the last page about your mistake turning into an inspiration.  How lucky you were to have such a mentor in your life to inspire.  Poppo sounds like a man who will be dearly missed.

I wish I had the funds right now to order more copies, I think it is truly wonderful.  But for now I will read and share this one with anyone who is interested.  

Patient Service Coordinator, ALS Association

Your book illustrates the joy of living, and how to cherish the moment not only for the ALS patient, but for their family members as well, and especially for a young child who is learning to live with a loved one who has ALS.

Thank you again for sharing your book with our Chapter!  And thank-you for sharing of yourself and how your relationship with Poppo has given you insights into helping others cope with this disease.

Jan Obermann The ALS Association - Alabama Chapter 

I just read your book and of course I cried.  But it's a beautiful story and I think some of our families would benefit from reading this (although not at one sitting) to their children.You did a fine job.  Thanks for a beautifully written story.  Poppo must be so proud.

Shirley Eisenberg, ALS Association- Ohio Chapter

Anyone who has experienced a close death will be deeply touched by this your words in this book. It is a masterpiece, well written and from the heart. The reader knows the writer has experienced the death of a loved one. Congratulations. Truly wonderful!

Pauline Brackett - Reading Specialist